ASTM D5136-19

Standard Specification for High Purity <emph type="ital">p</emph>-Xylene

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the requirements for p-Xylene. Sampled specimens shall conform to the following physical and chemical properties: minimum purity; maximum m-Xylene content; maximum o-Xylene content; maximum sulfur content; maximum toluene content; maximum ethylbenzene content; maximum nonaromatic hydrocarbons content; appearance; color (Pt/Co scale); distillation range; and maximum pressure.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers high purity p-Xylene.  
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this specification.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2018
• ICS: 71.080.15 - Aromatic hydrocarbons
• Technical Committee: D16 - Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals
• Drafting Committee: D16.01 - Benzene, Toluene, Xylenes, Cyclohexane and Their Derivatives

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5136-17a - Standard Specification for High Purity <emph type="ital">p</emph>-Xylene
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM E2680-23 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D7183-18a - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2018
• Refers: ASTM D7504-17a - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM D7504-17 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2017
• Refers: ASTM D7504-15 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D7504-15e1 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D8005-15 - Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM E2680-09(2015)e1 - Standard Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D7183-15 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Refers: ASTM D5917-15 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and External Calibration
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2015
• Refers: ASTM D5917-12 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and External Calibration
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2012
• Refers: ASTM D7183-12 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012
• Refers: ASTM D7504-11 - Standard Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon Number
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2011
• Refers: ASTM D3437-11 - Standard Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2011

Overview

ASTM D5136-19: Standard Specification for High Purity p-Xylene provides clear criteria for qualifying p-xylene of high purity required in industrial and specialty chemical applications. Developed by ASTM International, this specification outlines physical and chemical property requirements including minimum purity, maximum allowed impurities, appearance, color, and distillation range. Adherence to this standard ensures quality and uniformity in p-xylene products, critical for downstream manufacturing and chemical processing.

Key Topics

• Minimum Purity Requirement: High purity p-xylene must meet a minimum specified weight percentage of p-xylene to satisfy this specification.
• Chemical Impurity Limits: Strict maximum allowable levels are set for m-xylene, o-xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, nonaromatic hydrocarbons, and sulfur.
• Physical Properties: Product clarity and freedom from particulates are mandated, with color measured on the Platinum-Cobalt (Pt/Co) scale.
• Distillation Range: The specification defines the allowable temperature range for the distillation of p-xylene at standard atmospheric pressure.
• Testing and Sampling: Reference methods are prescribed for assessing each property, including gas chromatography, UV fluorescence, and visual inspection.
• International Compliance: The standard aligns with global principles for standardization and references relevant safety and measurement practices, including OSHA regulations and ASTM rounding-off protocols.

Applications

High purity p-xylene validated to ASTM D5136-19 is essential for industries where contaminant control is crucial, such as:

• Chemical Synthesis: Used as a feedstock for production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), which is a primary component in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics and fibers.
• Polymer Manufacturing: Ensures that p-xylene used in PET and polyester manufacturing meets stringent purity levels to avoid downstream process disruptions.
• Laboratory Standards: Serves as a reference material for analytical instrumentation and method validation in quality control laboratories.
• Specialty Chemicals: Supports the production of high performance chemicals where minor impurities could impact product performance or safety.
• Industrial Solvents: Purity requirements are essential in applications where p-xylene is employed as a solvent in coatings, adhesives, and inks.

Implementing ASTM D5136-19 fosters supplier-buyer confidence, reduces production risk, and enhances end-product quality.

Related Standards

Compliance with ASTM D5136-19 often involves or references the following related ASTM standards and regulatory guidelines:

• ASTM D5917 / D7504: Test Methods for quantification of trace impurities in aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography.
• ASTM D1209 / D5386 / D8005: Test Methods for color determination using the Platinum-Cobalt scale or tristimulus colorimetry.
• ASTM D7183: Test Method for total sulfur in aromatic hydrocarbons by ultraviolet fluorescence.
• ASTM D850: Test Method for distillation range assessment.
• ASTM D3437: Practice for sampling and handling of liquid cyclic products.
• ASTM E29: Guidelines for data rounding in meeting specification criteria.
• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000 and 1910.1200: U.S. regulatory standards for workplace exposure limits and hazard communication.

For those working with high purity p-xylene, understanding and applying ASTM D5136-19 ensures compliance with industry best practices, supports regulatory conformance, and promotes product consistency across international markets.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5136 −19
Standard Specification for
High Purity p-Xylene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5136; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D7183 Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in
Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultra-
1.1 This specification covers high purity p-Xylene.
violet Fluorescence
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this
D7504 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic
specification: for purposes of determining conformance with
Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and
this specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall
Effective Carbon Number
be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-
used in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with
Cobalt Scale)
the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
Determine Conformance with Specifications
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent
Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
standard.
2.2 Other Document:
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and
Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this
1910.1200
specification.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Properties
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1 High purity p-Xylene shall conform to the following
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- requirements:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ASTM
Property Specification
A
Test Method
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
B
Purity, min, weight % 99.7 D5917 or D7504
m-Xylene, max, weight % 0.20 D5917 or D7504
2. Referenced Documents
o-Xylene, max, weight % 0.10 D5917 or D7504
Sulfur, max, mg/kg 1.0 D7183
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Toluene, max, weight % 0.10 D5917 or D7504
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic
Ethylbenzene, max, weight % 0.20 D5917 or D7504
Hydrocarbons and Related Materials Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, max, weight % 0.20 D5917 or D7504
Appearance, free of haze, particulates pass E2680
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic
or suspended matter particles
Products
Color, max, Pt/Co scale 10 D5386 or D8005
Distillation range, including
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5136 − 17a D5136 − 19
Standard Specification for
High Purity p-Xylene
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5136; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers high purity p-Xylene.
1.2 The following applies to all specified limits in this specification: for purposes of determining conformance with this
specification, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand digit used
in expressing the specification limit, in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 Consult current OSHA regulations, supplier’s Safety Data Sheets, and local regulations for all materials used in this
specification.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D850 Test Method for Distillation of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials
D1209 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products
D5386 Test Method for Color of Liquids Using Tristimulus Colorimetry
D5917 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and External
Calibration
D7183 Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultraviolet
Fluorescence
D7504 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and Effective Carbon
Number
D8005 Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E2680 Test Method for Appearance of Clear, Transparent Liquids (Visual Inspection Procedure)
2.2 Other Document:
OSHA Regulations, 29 CFR paragraphs 1910.1000 and 1910.1200
3. Properties
3.1 High purity p-Xylene shall conform to the following requirements:
ASTM
Property Specification
A
Test Method
B
Purity, min, weight % 99.7 D5917 or D7504
m-Xylene, max, weight % 0.20 D5917 or D7504
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D16 on Aromatic, Industrial, Specialty and Related Chemicals and is the direct respons
...